New data from Ivantis’s 5-year HORIZON trial show that its Hydrus MIGS device lowered the visual field loss rate by 47% compared with cataract surgery alone. Ivantis characterized the results as placing the Hydrus implantation procedure on par with trabeculectomy in terms of its potential to boost positive glaucoma surgery outcomes.
Preliminary findings were presented at the 2021 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) meeting by Iqbal “Ike” Ahmed, MD, research director at the Kensington Eye Institute and director of the Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto. Dr. Ahmed called the study “a game-changer,” adding that “since the inception of MIGS, the impact narrative has been largely restricted to … IOP lowering and medication reduction. At 3 years, we saw that Hydrus was impacting the rate of invasive secondary surgery, which was exciting. Now at 5 years, we have data indicating the Hydrus is affecting the underlying disease itself, which alters forever how we think of MIGS.”
In a recent news release, Ivantis president and CEO Dave Van Meter announced, “Overnight, this finding makes MIGS one of the most essential solutions for the globally escalating glaucoma burden and further demonstrates the clinical benefit being provided to patients by Hydrus.”
The retrospective analysis for HORIZON — the largest prospective, randomized, controlled MIGS device trial to date — was led by Gus Gazzard, MD, of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. It included 556 patients worldwide with mild to moderate glaucoma, with continuous postoperative follow-up over 5 years. Full results of the study will be presented early in 2022.
To strengthen its commitment to advancing in the surgical glaucoma market, Alcon announced its plan to acquire Ivantis. Hydrus was FDA approved in 2018, and the device earned the highest grade for quality and a strong recommendation in the 2020 AAO Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Preferred Practice Pattern. The deal is expected to be finalized early in 2022 pending the usual closing conditions and regulatory approval. GP
